From the Booth #4: The Champs Get Their Rings

Photo courtesy of Kellen Urbon

This is the fourth post in a series featuring the Cornell At Bat broadcasting team. These posts will appear throughout the Fall and Spring semesters. For part one of the series, click here. For part two, click here. For part three, click here.

A day to celebrate an amazing achievement.

After last season’s amazing journey and first semester’s classes finally coming to a close, it was time for the Ivy League Champions to get their rings.  For many, it was a chilly Saturday morning like any other, a day to relax after a long week of classes. But for every member of Cornell’s baseball team, it was a special day to remember the great feat they accomplished last season and we were lucky enough to be able to be a part of the celebration.

As the players arrived, including this year’s freshmen and three of last year’s seniors, Schoellkopf’s Hall of Fame Room began to buzz.  Even as an observer, you could feel the camaraderie and the genuine bond that exists between them.  The conversations flowed effortlessly, some even making their way across the room as they tried to chat with those at other tables without getting up.

As we ate brunch, the W.C. Matthews Trophy made its way around the room stopping at each table for a visit.  The trophy was named for William Clarence Matthews in 2006 and honors each year’s Ivy League baseball champion; Matthews was an outstanding African-American athlete in the early 20th century, and a pioneer in both baseball and law.

The ceremony started with a few words from Head Coach Bill Walkenbach, after which began the distribution of rings.  The rings were made by Balfour and personalized with the individual players’ name, number and position.  Distribution began with the members of the Class of 2012 who were able to return to campus to take part in the ceremony.  After receiving their rings, Frank Hager shared some very moving words of wisdom and gratitude with the team; it was a speech that could not be followed.  After the Class of 2012, the rings continued to be distributed by class in chronological order.

After the players received their rings, Coach Walkenbach thanked each one of the coaches and trainers individually as they were given rings of their own.  Once all the rings had been passed out, it was time for the recap video; the video was put together by Alex using pictures from last season provided by the players’ families.  And with that the ceremony ended. Though some were unable to make it, the sense of gratitude for what they do and have done was still very present.  The team has clearly been working hard and is ready to jump into next season and hopefully win the Ivy League Championship Series again.

For more information on Cornell At Bat or if you want to get involved, contact Alex Gimenez email at ajg322@cornell.edu. For previous Cornell At Bat adventures, look here, here, here, here, and here.  

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